Rotisserie Chicken: Crock Pot Style

how to cook rotisserie chicken in a crock pot

Rotisserie chicken is a delicious dish that can be made right in your crock pot or slow cooker. It's an easy and convenient way to prepare a whole chicken, resulting in tender and juicy meat with a crispy skin. The cooking process is simple, requiring only a short prep time and a few basic ingredients. You can season the chicken with a variety of spices and herbs to suit your taste preferences. The chicken is then cooked slowly, allowing the flavours to develop and the meat to become fall-off-the-bone tender. This method produces a delicious homemade alternative to store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Characteristics Values
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 4-9 hours
Chicken weight 3.2 pounds
Chicken temperature 165F
Calories 249-336kcal
Carbohydrates 4-6g
Protein 20-22g
Fat 16-24g
Sodium 852-1107mg
Fiber 1g
Sugar 1g
Equipment Crockpot, oven, meat thermometer

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Prepping the chicken

To prep the chicken, start by removing any neck bones, gizzard packets, and giblets from the chicken cavity. You should also remove any excess fat from the cavity. Dry the chicken thoroughly with paper towels. This is an important step, as it helps to ensure that the chicken doesn't fall apart while cooking in the crockpot.

Next, prepare the seasoning for the chicken. In a small bowl, combine the spices for the rub. A typical spice rub for rotisserie chicken might include paprika, brown sugar, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add some cayenne pepper for heat or extra salt if you prefer a salty taste. Mix the spices together, adding small amounts of oil if necessary, until you have a paste with a good spreading consistency.

Rub the spice paste all over the chicken, inside and out, taking care not to tear the skin. You can also rub the spices under the skin for extra flavour. For even more flavour, stuff the chicken cavity with lemon, thyme, and rosemary, or garlic and lemon.

Finally, prepare the crockpot. Wad up some balls of tinfoil (4-5 balls) and place them in the bottom of the crockpot. Place the chicken on top of the foil balls, breast-side up. You can truss the chicken with kitchen twine to keep it together, especially if you are not using foil balls to prop it up.

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Cooking the chicken

To cook rotisserie chicken in a crock pot, you'll need to prepare the chicken and then slow cook it. First, remove any giblets and excess fat from the chicken cavity. Then, dry the chicken thoroughly with paper towels. You can truss the chicken with or without string, but this step is essential to prevent the chicken from falling apart in the crock pot.

Next, prepare the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper. You can also add brown sugar, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder to the mixture. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken, inside and out, being careful not to tear the skin.

After seasoning, stuff the chicken cavity with lemon, thyme, and rosemary. Wad up 4-5 balls of tin foil and place them in the bottom of the crock pot. Place the chicken on top of the foil balls, breast side up. You can also place carrots, celery, and onion in the crock pot before adding the chicken for extra flavour. Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. If you want crispy skin, you can place the chicken on a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for 4-6 minutes. Keep an eye on the chicken to ensure it doesn't burn.

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Getting crispy skin

Slow cooking a whole chicken in a crock pot will typically result in soft skin. However, there are several methods to achieve crispy skin.

One method is to drizzle the cooked chicken with olive oil and broil on high heat for several minutes until the skin is crispy. Alternatively, you can place the chicken on a baking sheet and broil at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and golden. If you want to add extra flavour, you can drizzle the chicken with melted butter before broiling.

If you have an oven-safe crock pot insert, you can transfer the chicken to the oven in the insert. Otherwise, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the crock pot and place it in an oven-safe dish before broiling.

It is important to note that broiling can quickly burn the chicken if left unattended, so it is crucial to monitor the chicken closely and adjust the timing as needed.

By following these steps, you can achieve crispy, golden brown skin on your rotisserie chicken cooked in a crock pot.

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Making stock

Stock is a flavourful liquid made by simmering animal bones in water, and it's an essential ingredient in many dishes. You can make chicken stock by saving the juices from cooking a rotisserie chicken in a crockpot. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious chicken stock:

Step 1: After removing the cooked chicken from the crockpot, pour the leftover juices into a container. These juices are packed with flavour and make an excellent base for your stock.

Step 2: Place the chicken bones and any leftover meat back into the crockpot. You can also add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions for extra flavour.

Step 3: Cover the bones and vegetables with water, ensuring everything is submerged. You can also use chicken broth or stock if you prefer.

Step 4: Simmer the mixture on low heat for an extended period, such as 60-90 minutes or even a couple of 40-minute cycles for bone broth. This process extracts the flavour and nutrients from the bones and vegetables, creating a rich and tasty stock.

Step 5: Strain the stock to separate the liquid from the solids. You can now discard the solids, as the flavour has been infused into the liquid.

Step 6: Allow the stock to cool, then store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Homemade chicken stock can be kept for several days in the fridge or frozen for later use.

By following these steps, you can create delicious and nutritious chicken stock from your rotisserie chicken crockpot meal. It's a great way to make the most of your leftovers and enhance future recipes with a delicious, homemade touch.

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Storing leftovers

Storing Cooked Chicken:

It is essential to store the cooked chicken within two hours of cooking. Divide the chicken into smaller portions, as this will help it cool down faster. Place the chicken in airtight containers or sealable bags. You can also wrap the chicken tightly with aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Label the containers or bags with the storage date.

Refrigeration:

Leftover rotisserie chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place the containers at the back of the fridge, where it's usually colder. You can also store the chicken in the refrigerator's meat drawer. Ensure the refrigerator temperature is set below 40°F (4°C).

Freezing:

If you don't plan to consume the leftover chicken within a few days, freezing is a great option. Freeze the chicken within 1-2 days of cooking. Use airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags designed for freezing. Label the packages with the freezing date. Frozen leftover chicken can be safely stored for up to 2-3 months.

Storing Leftover Chicken Broth:

The leftover chicken broth or stock can also be stored for later use. Let the broth cool down, then pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, pop the broth cubes out of the trays and store them in freezer bags. You can also freeze the broth in airtight containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Frozen broth can be stored for up to 6 months.

Reheating and Using Leftovers:

When reheating leftover rotisserie chicken, ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can reheat the chicken in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave until heated through. It's best to use refrigerated leftover chicken within 3-4 days, as recommended by food safety guidelines.

Leftover rotisserie chicken can be used in various dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, casseroles, and more. You can also add it to fried rice, tacos, curries, or use it as a pizza topping. Be creative and experiment with different flavours and recipes!

Frequently asked questions

It takes between 4 to 9 hours to cook rotisserie chicken in a crock pot, depending on the size of the chicken and the temperature setting.

It is recommended to cook the chicken on low heat for a longer period of time to ensure it is cooked through and tender. However, you can cook it on high heat for a shorter period.

After cooking the chicken in the crock pot, you can place it in an oven-safe dish and broil it in the oven for 4 to 6 minutes to get crispy skin.

You can serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad. You can also use the shredded chicken in sandwiches, soups, or casseroles.

Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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